Former Liberal insider Brad Stansfield declares Senate candidacy amid party concerns

Brad Stansfield, the veteran political strategist and polling company owner who has shaped Liberal fortunes across two decades, has announced he will contest his party's preselection for a Tasmanian Senate seat at the next federal election.

Mr Stansfield disclosed his candidacy through his podcast audience on Friday, signalling a shift from external commentary to direct involvement in party politics. The move comes as Tasmanian Senator Wendy Askew announced she will not recontest her seat, creating an opening for the Senate position due before May 20, 2028.

From strategist to candidate

The 40-year-old has occupied influential backstage roles throughout his career. He served as chief of staff to former Liberal premier Will Hodgman for eight years and previously worked as a staffer to former senator Eric Abetz between 2007 and 2010. Most recently, Mr Stansfield has advised the Tasmanian Liberal Party through successive state election campaigns from 2014 to 2024, including the recent 2025 Tasmanian election.

As chief executive of EMRS polling, Mr Stansfield has maintained a public profile as a political commentator, often offering critical analysis of Liberal Party strategy and performance.

From commentary to action

"Either I keep on yelling at them through this pod and other mechanisms, or I ask to be invited inside the tent and see if I can make a difference from there," Mr Stansfield told his podcast listeners in announcing his preselection bid.

The statement reflects growing frustration among experienced party figures regarding the Liberal Party's direction. By moving from external critique to internal candidacy, Mr Stansfield joins a broader cohort of seasoned operatives seeking to reshape the party from within.

Implications for Tasmanian politics

The decision carries significance for Tasmanian Liberal politics, where Mr Stansfield's institutional knowledge and electoral experience carry considerable weight. His departure from advisory roles into direct electoral competition may reshape dynamics within the party's state operations, particularly given his long association with the Hodgman era.

Tasmania remains a pivotal electoral battleground for the Coalition, having voted narrowly for Labor in recent federal elections. The Senate seat in question represents an opportunity for the Liberals to strengthen their Upper House representation in the state.

What's ahead

Mr Stansfield must now navigate Liberal Party preselection processes in Tasmania, where established party members may contest the nomination. His experience in state-level Liberal politics and his polling firm's prominent position in Australian political media provide distinct advantages, though party preselections often favour long-serving local activists.

The federal election must be called on or before May 20, 2028, providing considerable time for the Liberal Party's Tasmanian branch to determine its Senate candidates and campaign strategy.

Source: ABC News